Solar Powered Attic Fan Control System

ABSTRACT

A solar powered attic fan control system preferably includes a remote interface unit and at least one fan controller unit. The remote interface unit includes a display screen and a remote interface electronic control device. Each fan controller unit preferably includes a fan controller electronic control device and temperature, pressure, voltage and humidity sensors. The remote interface electronic control device preferably has a wireless connection to the at least one fan controller unit. A plurality of control buttons on the remote interface unit allows a user to select one of a plurality of fan controller units connected to the remote interface unit. The display screen will display temperature and relative humidity conditions in the fan controller unit location. The specific fan controller may be turned on and off by the remote interface unit. The remote interface unit preferably displays the available power level from a solar panel or battery pack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to solar powered attic fans and more specifically to a solar powered attic fan control system, which enables a user to remotely control the operation of at least one solar powered attic fan.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Patent publication no. 2010/0304660 to Boehling et al. discloses a Hybrid Solar Attic Vent.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a solar attic fan control system, which enables a user to remotely control the operation of at least one solar attic fan; allows a user to remotely adjust both temperature and humidity control set points; allows a user to remotely select attic depressurization alarm set points based on their region; alarms a user of attic depressurization or inadequate air intake ventilation; and displays the available power output of a solar panel or a battery pack which supplies a solar power attic fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a solar powered attic fan control system, which preferably includes a remote interface unit and at least one fan controller unit. The remote interface unit includes a display screen, a plurality of control buttons, and a remote interface electronic control device. Each fan controller unit preferably includes a fan controller electronic control device, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, and a humidity sensor.

The remote interface unit preferably has a wireless connection to the at least one fan controller unit, but may be hard wired as well. A plurality of control buttons on the remote interface unit allows a user to select one of a plurality of available fan controller units connected to the remote interface unit. The display screen preferably displays the temperature and humidity inside an attic area, living area or workspace, where a specific fan controller unit is located. Additionally, the display screen indicates the available power or voltage level of the solar panel or battery pack used to supply the specific fan controller unit with electrical power. The remote interface unit preferably displays an alarm if attic depressurization or inadequate air intake ventilation occurs in the attic area where a specific fan controller unit is located. The specific fan controller may be turned on or off by the remote interface unit, allowing for manual operation of the connected solar powered attic fan as needed.

The fan controller unit is designed with an offset mounting system to allow for accurate sensing of air conditions in the area where the specific fan controller is located. The fan controller electronic control device receives the temperature, pressure, voltage, and humidity data from the sensors and puts the data in a form that is transmittable to the remote interface electronic control device of the remote interface unit. Additionally, the fan controller electronic control device evaluates the temperature, pressure, and humidity data collected against set point values stored in memory to control the operation of the connected solar powered attic fan. Control set point values are communicated to the fan controller through user interaction with the remote interface unit. The fan controller will retain control set point values in memory while powered off.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solar powered attic fan control system, which enables a user to remotely control the operation of at least one solar powered attic fan.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a solar powered attic fan control system, which allows a user to adjust both temperature and humidity control set points, and depressurization alarm set points.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solar powered attic fan control system, which offers accurate sensing of air temperature, pressure, and humidity conditions in the area where the fan controller unit is installed.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a solar powered attic fan control system which allows a user to remotely view fan controller data and status information.

It is a yet a further object of the present invention to provide a solar powered attic fan control system, which alarms a user of potential attic depressurization or inadequate air intake ventilation.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a solar powered attic fan control system, which displays the available power output of a connected solar panel or a battery pack.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a remote interface unit of a solar powered attic fan control system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 a is a block diagram of a remote interface unit of a solar powered attic fan control system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a fan controller unit of a solar powered attic fan control system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end view of a fan controller unit attached to a wall or framing member, of a solar powered attic fan control system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a solar powered attic fan control system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a fan controller unit of a solar powered attic fan control system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of a remote interface unit (10) of a solar powered attic fan control system (1). With reference to FIGS. 1 a-2, the solar powered attic fan control system (1) preferably includes the remote interface unit (10) and at least one fan controller unit (12). The remote interface unit (10) includes a display screen (14) and a remote interface electronic control device (16). With reference to FIG. 5, each fan controller unit (12) preferably includes a fan controller electronic control device (18), a temperature sensor (20), a pressure sensor (22), a voltage sensor (23) and a humidity sensor (24). The remote interface electronic control device (16) preferably has a wireless connection through a remote interface transceiver (25) to at least one fan controller transceiver (26) of at least one fan controller unit (12). The remote interface electronic control device (16) may be a microcontroller or any other suitable electronic control device.

The remote interface unit (10) includes a function increase button (28) and a function decrease button (30); a fan controller selection button (32); a set point adjustment button (34); a clock set button (36) and a fan controller on-off button (38). With reference to FIG. 4, the choice of a specific fan controller unit (12) is made by depressing the fan controller selection button (32). Pressing the fan controller selection button (32) and using the function increase or decrease buttons (28, 30) results in a particular fan controller unit(12) being chosen from those wirelessly connected to the remote interface unit 10). An address number shown in a fan selection display menu (40) for the selected fan controller (12) will appear on the display screen (14) to illustrate the chosen fan controller unit (12). The user may also choose to communicate with all connected fan controllers (12) by selecting address number zero from the fan selection display menu (40), also known as the global communication channel. The number zero selection allows the user to make global set point and mode changes to all fan controllers (12) at once. The remote interface unit (10) will preferably automatically exit the global communication channel and default to communication address number one after three seconds of inactivity.

The set point adjustment button (34) toggles between the choices of temperature set point adjustment, humidity set point adjustment, depressurization alarm set point selection, or temperature mode selection. The function increase or decrease buttons (28, 30) allow the user to adjust the temperature or humidity control set point values, and choose from available depressurization alarm set points or temperature mode selections. Temperature (42) in the controller location (100) is shown on the display screen (14). The user may choose to display temperature in either Celsius or Fahrenheit units (43) by using the temperature mode selection function via the set point adjustment button (34). Relative humidity (44) in a fan controller location (100) is shown on the display screen (14). If the temperature in the fan controller location (100) exceeds the control set point temperature as measured by the temperature sensor (20), a fan (11) will be supplied with electrical power by the fan controller unit (12). If the humidity in the fan controller location (100) exceeds the control set point humidity as measured by the humidity sensor (24), the fan (11) will be supplied with electrical power by the fan controller (12).

A depressurization alarm set point display (45) allows the user to select from a range of 1-4 barometric pressure settings based on the regional elevation of an installation location. The user may select the appropriate depressurization alarm set point by using the set point adjustment button (34) and function increase or decrease buttons (28, 30). If the barometric pressure in the fan controller location (100) drops below the depressurization alarm set point pressure as measured by the pressure sensor (22), the fan controller electronic control device (18) will transmit an alarm signal to the remote interface unit (10). A differential pressure sensor may be used as well to measure the amount of depressurization in the fan controller location (100). A fan icon (48) shown on the remote interface display screen (14) will begin blinking in the event of a depressurization alarm, notifying the user of a potential attic depressurization or inadequate air intake ventilation.

Time may be entered into remote interface unit (10) by depressing the clock set button (36) and using the function increase or decrease buttons (28, 30). Time entered into the remote interface unit 10 is shown on the remote interface display screen (14) on a time display (46). The remote interface display screen (14) also includes a low-battery indicator (49) to alert the user of when battery replacement is needed for the remote interface unit (10).

The fan controller on-off button (38) controls the operation of the selected fan controller unit (12) and connected fan (11). Depressing the fan controller on-off button (38) will either allow or prevent the selected fan (11) from being supplied with electrical power by the fan controller unit (12). The fan icon (48) is shown on the remote interface display screen (14) when the selected fan (11) is supplied with electrical power by the fan controller (12). The fan icon (48) is invisible when the selected fan (11) is powered off.

The remote interface display screen (14) shows the available power output level of a solar panel (104) or battery pack (not shown), connected to the selected fan controller (12), through a series of four indicator bars (47). If all four indicator bars (47) are solid, the solar panel (104) or battery pack is supplying maximum power to the selected fan controller unit (12). If only the left bar is solid, the solar panel (104) or battery pack is supplying minimum power to the selected fan controller unit (12).

With reference to FIG. 3, the fan controller (12) includes a case (50), which is preferably mounted offset from a wall or framing member (102) with a plurality of spacers (52) and fasteners (54). Mounting the fan controller unit (12) offset from a wall or framing member (102), instead of attaching the case (50) directly to the wall or framing member (102), provides for more accurate sensing of air conditions in the area where the specific fan controller unit is located.

The fan controller unit (12) preferably includes a controller addressing dial (56), a solar panel power indicator (60), and a fan power indicator (62). The controller addressing dial (56) assigns a specific communication address number from 1-10 to the fan controller (12). Each fan controller (12) in the solar powered attic fan control system (1) is assigned a unique communication address number, allowing the remote interface unit (10) to independently operate up to ten separate fan controller units (12). A solar panel power indicator (60) emits light when power is supplied to the fan controller unit (12) by the solar panel (104) or battery pack (not shown). The fan power indicator (62) emits light, when power is supplied by the fan controller (12) to the connected fan (11). The fan controller electronic control device (18) receives the temperature, pressure, voltage, and humidity data from the sensors 20, 22, 23, 24 and puts the data in a form that may be transmitted to the remote interface electronic control device (16) by the fan controller transceiver (26). The fan controller electronic control device (18) evaluates the temperature, pressure, and humidity data against set point values stored in memory to control the operation of the connected fan (11). The fan controller electronic control device (18) will either allow or prevent the connected fan (11) from being supplied with electrical power by the fan controller unit (12) based on evaluation of the collected data. Set point values are communicated to the fan controller electronic control device (18) through user interaction with the remote interface unit (10). The fan controller electronic control device (18) retains set point values in memory, while the fan controller unit (12) is powered off, minimizing the requirement for user interaction between cycles of operation. The fan controller electronic control device (18) may be a microcontroller or any other suitable electronic control device. The electrical connection between the remote interface unit (10) and each fan controller unit (12) may be either wireless or hard wired.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A solar powered attic fan control system comprising: a remote interface unit includes a remote interface electronic control device and a display screen, said remote interface electronic control device displays information on said display screen and receives commands from a plurality of control buttons on said display screen; and at least one fan controller unit, said remote interface electronic control device remotely controls the operation of said at least one fan controller unit, a choice of one of said at least one fan controller unit to program is entered through said display screen, temperature and humidity control set points are entered into said at least one fan controller unit through at least one of said plurality of control buttons, wherein if temperature or humidity exceeds the temperature or humidity control set points, at least one fan connected to said at least one fan controller unit is supplied with electrical power.
 2. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 1, further comprising: each one of said at least one fan controller unit includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, and a humidity sensor.
 3. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 1, further comprising: each one of said at least one fan controller unit includes a fan controller electronic control device.
 4. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 3 wherein: said remote interface electronic control device communicates with said at least one fan control electronic control device through one of a wireless and a hard wired connection.
 5. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 1 wherein: said plurality of control buttons include a function increase button, a function decrease button, a fan controller selection, button, a set point adjustment button; and a fan controller on-off button.
 6. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 1, further comprising: said display screen displays the available power level of at least one solar panel and a battery pack connected to said fan controller unit.
 7. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 1 wherein: said remote interface electronic control device remotely controls the operation of said at least one fan controller unit, a choice of one of said at least one fan controller unit to program through said plurality of control buttons is entered through said display screen.
 8. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 1 wherein: each one of said at least one fan controller unit is designed with an offset mount from a wall or framing member to allow for accurate sensing of air conditions.
 9. A solar powered attic fan control system comprising: a remote interface unit includes a remote interface electronic control device and a display screen, said remote interface electronic control device displays information on said display screen and receives commands from a plurality of control buttons on said display screen; and at least one fan controller unit, said remote interface electronic control device remotely controls the operation of said at least one fan controller unit, a choice of one of said at least one fan controller unit to program is entered through said display screen, each one of said fan controller unit includes a pressure set point, wherein if pressure drops below said pressure set point in the location of said fan controller unit, an alarm is activated, said at least one fan controller unit is powered by at least one of at least one solar panel and at least one battery pack charged by at least one solar panel.
 10. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 9, further comprising: each one of said at least one fan controller unit includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, and a humidity sensor.
 11. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 9, further comprising: each one of said at least one fan controller unit includes a fan controller electronic control device.
 12. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 11 wherein: said remote interface electronic control device communicates with said at least one fan controller electronic control device through one of a wireless and a hard wired connection.
 13. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 9 wherein: said plurality of control buttons include a function increase button, a function decrease button, a fan controller selection, button, a set point adjustment button; and a fan controller on-off button.
 14. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 9, further comprising: said display screen displays the available power level of at least one solar panel and a battery pack connected to said fan controller unit.
 15. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 9 wherein: said remote interface electronic control device remotely controls the operation of said at least one fan controller unit, a choice of one of said at least one fan controller unit to program through said plurality of control buttons is entered through said display screen.
 16. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 9 wherein: each one of said at least one fan controller unit is designed with an offset mount from a wall or framing member to allow for accurate sensing of air conditions.
 17. A solar powered attic fan control system comprising: a remote interface unit includes a remote interface electronic control device and a display screen, said remote interface electronic control device displays information on said display screen and receives commands from a plurality of control buttons on said display screen; and at least one fan controller unit, said remote interface electronic control device remotely controls the operation of said at least one fan controller unit, a choice of one of said at least one fan controller unit to program is entered through said display screen, said display screen displays voltage level of at least one of at least one solar panel and at least one battery pack.
 18. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 17, further comprising: each one of said at least one fan controller unit includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a voltage sensor, and a humidity sensor.
 19. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 17 wherein: said plurality of control buttons include a function increase button, a function decrease button, a fan controller selection, button, a set point adjustment button; and a fan controller on-off button.
 20. The solar powered attic fan control system of claim 17 wherein: each one of said at least one fan controller unit is designed with an offset mount from a wall or framing member to allow for accurate sensing of air conditions. 